“Bring hats and gloves for the snowmen, signs/messages of love and peace, etc.,” the pastor says.
“Our snowmen will have hearts and outreached arms. Let’s fill the lawn and show the community what kind of humans we are. Please help share and get the word out. Each snowman represents another person standing up against hate.”
Today, snow covers the Saugatuck Church lawn. This afternoon, the town is invited there, to make “snowmen of love.”
Governor Ned Lamont cut the ribbon yesterday, at the rededication of the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place in downtown Westport.
With 15 and 5 beds respectively — and a newly expanded food pantry, renovated kitchen, and additional meeting rooms — the Homes with Hope facility is better equipped than ever to serve underhoused and hungry residents.
Lamont was joined by Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquerra-Bruno, State Senator Ceci Maher, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore,, Homes with Hope CEO and president Helen McAlinden, Homes with Hope co-founder and former director Rev. Peter Powell, Westport Human Services director Elaine Daignault, and several Representative Town Meeting members.
The Gillespie Center is named for the shelter’s co-founder, Dr. Jim Gillespie. Hoskins Place honors another early housing supporter, Rev. Ted Hoskins of Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The ceremony also included Susie’s Place. Formerly known as Project Return — and named for that organization’s former director Susiei Basler — the Compo Road North house has room for 6 at-risk women, ages 18-24.
After renovations, it will open April 1.
To learn more about Homes with Hope and its services, click here.
Homes with Hope CEO, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker nad Governor Ned Lamont (center, holding scissors and ribbon), at yesterday’s Gillespie Center rededication.
Calling themselves “deeply concerned,” ADL Connecticut said: “The swastika is the symbol adopted by Hitler as the primary emblem of the Nazis. The Holocaust was a singularly evil event, and it is inappropropriate and offensive to make light of it. At a time of rising hate and antisemitism, we call upon community leaders to speak out against this hate. Hate is not child’s play.”
The ADL sent a report about hate and harassment. “Swastikas are very prevalent in gaming and online, and kids see them often,” they said. Click here to read.
Westport’s Democratic Town Committee reposted the ADL’s message, echoing it in “the strongest of terms.”
TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey Jr. sent a statement to “06880.” Noting it was “personal” — not from the town’s multicultural organization — he said, “Whether hidden on a remote trail or in plain sight, such homages to hatred are heinous and must be condemned.
While some forces within our nation are pushing us pell-mell toward the outlawing of even their discussion, we must steel ourselves at every level to call them out and see them for the poison they represent to our community, and humanity itself.”
The “Hitler” snowman, in Newman Poses Preserce.
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The Representative Town Meeting Planning & Zoning, and Environment, Committees meet jointly tonight (Tuesday, February 11, 7 p.m., Town Hall room 201).
There is one agenda item: “Review of the Old Mill Pond walkway, gate and properties.”
Discussion is expected to include whether the public has the right to access Compo Cove, via the formerly open, now locked gate at the end of the walkway.
Click here to see the entire meeting packet, including documents.
Access to Compo Cove will be discussed at tonight’s RTM committee meetings.
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Tonight also marks the first of 3 consecutive nights of Board of Finance 2025-26 budget discussions.
All meetings take place in Town Hall room 309, beginning at 6 p.m.
The schedule:
Tonight (Tuesday, February 11): Human Services, Parks & Recreation/Wakeman Town Farm, Public Works/Sewer Fund.
Wednesday, February 12: Transit District, Police, Fire.
Thursday, February 13: Earthplace, IT, Library, Health District, Pension/ Insurance/Transfers/Other General.
Click here for a link to the full proposed 2025-26 budget.
Layla’s Falafel is known for its great Middle Eastern food.
Now it’s helping hungry folks, in our back yard.
The Post Road East restaurant has partnered with local non-profit Filling in the Blanks. They have pledged $12,000 to fund their Fresh Food on the Move mobile pantry in Bridgeport, at the end of this month. The pantry feeds over 475 families in need, offering fresh and healthy food.
Layla’s is donating $2 for every pint of $8 hummus sold at their Westport, Fairfield and Stamford locations. It’s made fresh daily; it’s vegan, gluten-free and seed oil-free — and includes 3 fluffy pita breads.
Donations can also be made through the QR code below.
Layla’s hummus.
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Everyone needs a warm hug.
This Thursday (February 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) marks the Westport Farmers’ Market’s annual Operation Warm Hug. It was postponed a week, by snow.
At their Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center winter home, Market volunteers will collect lightly used coats, hats, mittens, sweaters and sweatshirts, to share with nOURish in Bridgeport.
For the first time ever last night, Staples Orphenians — the high school’s elite a cappella group — joined Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools’ cameratas for a joint Choir Festival.
The event, at Bedford, follows a similar three-schools jazz show at Staples.
Choir members enjoyed rehearsing together during the day. More joint music programs are planned for the future.
Choral directors (from left) Christina Dominguez, Lauren Pine and Jason Phillips, sporting their respective school logos.
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Timing is everything.
Yesteray, “06880” posted a story on Stitch Haven. Beth Berkowitz is the new owner of the store formerly known as Westport Yarns.
When the piece was published, a new sign was not yet ini place.
Just hours after the story appeared, the “Stitch Haven” sign was installed.
You can find all your knitting and crocheting needs there on Post Road East, next to Westport Hardware and Cava, across from Fresh Market and Terrain.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a bit unusual.
Bob Weingarten writes: “A large tree was slated for removal from Center Street by the town in December. A town crew removed most of the top of the tree and sides in early January. but left what is shown below — probably because of all the wires.
“This removal is now waiting for (probably) Eversource.”
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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And finally … in honor of the rededication of the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place, and the upcoming reopening of Susie’s Place (story above):
(“06880” is your home for hyper-local news about Westport — our non-profits, businesses, schools, residents, beaches, history and much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
TEAM Westport’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest has never shied away from important topics.
This year’s prompt is particularly important — and topical.
“Identity” is the topic of the 2025 contest, sponsored by the town’s multicultural organization.
The contest is open to students attending both public and private high school in Westport. Those who live in Westport and attend public or private high school elsewhere — or are home-schooled here — can also participate.
This year’s essay prompt says:
TEAM Westport is dedicated to addressing issues of bias and discrimination related to race, religion, ethnicity, and LGBTQIA+ identity that negatively impact our town’s goal of being a welcoming community for all who live and work here. The recent introduction of the Anti-Defamation League’s “No Place for Hate” initiative in Westport’s schools strives to create an environment where all students feel they belong and are free from bias, bullying, or hatred.
In our community, each person’s unique identity — shaped by their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other aspects of who they are — contributes to the character of Westport. In 1,000 words or less, we invite you to reflect on how your own identity shapes your perspective and the experiences you have in Westport. Please address the following considerations in your response:
Which aspects of your identity feel most central to how you wish to be understood and accepted?
How do aspects of your identity shape your daily school and community experiences, including both challenges and opportunities in expressing these parts of yourself?
What specific changes could our community make to decrease identity-based bias, bullying and hate?
The entry deadline for the essay contest is 11:59 pm on March 10.
The Westport Library co-sponsors the event. They’ll host the winners at a special ceremony on April 28.
The prompt and contest entry rules are available online at teamwestport.org.
Subject to the volume and caliber of entries received, at the discretion of the judges, up to 3 cash prizes will be awarded. The first prize is $1,000; second place is $750, while third is $500.
“Our community conversation to uncover ways to ensure that there is ‘No Place for Hate’ is ongoing,” says TEAM Westport Chair Harold Bailey Jr. “As we launch our 12th year of the Essay Contest, nothing could be more current than the issue of personal identity. We invite our young people to share their experiences around identity to help shape a world in which everyone belongs with mutual respect.”
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker adds, “This community encourages constructive, respectful dialogue. As representatives of our talented and thoughtful population, the youth of Westport can be instrumental in sharing diverse ideas that ensure that everyone who lives, works, plays, and learns here feels welcomed and valued.”
Prior prompts have tackled topics from white privilege and Black Lives Matter to micro-aggressions and dialogue.
“We’re honored to co-sponsor and host the 2025 TEAM Westport Diversity Essay Contest,” says Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer.
“One of our goals as a Library is to foster inclusivity, understanding, and belonging, and to provide the tools for students learn and thrive. Personal identity is achieved through exploration and conversation, a product of introspection and community engagement — all core to the mission of the Library and representative of the remarkable students Westport engages.”
At the 2024 TEAM Westport Teen Essay Contest celebration (from left) First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey; winners Teya Ozgen, Sophia Lopez and Olivia Morgeson; Staples High School principal Stafford Thomas; Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer.
It’s an important job — but typical of her long public service.
She’s co-chaired the Downtown Plan Implementation Committe. Beford that, she was a Representative Town Meeting member, and Westport’s 3rd selectwoman.
The other day, we chatted at the Westport Library for an “06880” podcast. Click below to hear more about Melissa’s work with CAGV, and her other efforts in Westport.
Selma Miriam — the long-time Westporter, co-founder of Bloodroot vegetarian restaurant, ardent feminist and crusader for social justice — died Thursday at her Saugatuck home. She was 2 weeks shy of her 90th birthday.
Selma was born in Bridgeport on February 25, 1935.
She graduated from Jackson College (Tufts University) in 1956, with a joint degree in psychology and biology.
Selma Miriam
She was a landscape architect, rock gardener and orchid cultivator.
A feminist political activist, she was friends with many thought leaders including poet Audre Lorde, novelist Rita Mae Brown, philosopher and theologian Mary Daley, folk singer Alix Dobkin, artist Judy Chicago, and many more.
In the 1960’s, Selma and her then-husband Abe Bunks became involved with the National Ethical Youth Organization. They hosted teenagers in their home, to discuss important issues of the day.
Selma felt privileged to be around deep-thinking teens, and they opened up to her.
She also was integral in bringing Project Concern to Westport. The program brought Black youngsters from Bridgeport into Westport schools, and changed many lives.
She was a creator of the Bloodroot collective in the late 1970s. It became the Bloodroot restaurant, which embraced seasonal vegetarianism as a feminist ideal.
Selma Miriam and Bloodroot co-founder Noel Furie. (Photo/Penny de los Santos for the Washington Post)
Selma was active in the League of Women Voters and the National Organization for Women.
Selma Miriam
Her daughter Sabrina says, “Selma was an amazing woman. She was the rarest of people: someone who lived her life authentically without compromise. Smart as hell. She figured out how to create a world that reflected what was important to her regardless of obstacles. What a role model!”
She is survived by her children, Sabrina and Carey, and longtime partner, Carolanne Curry.
A celebration of Selma’s life will be held at a date to be determined.
Selma Miriam, with her children Sabrina and Carey Bunks.
“06880” has learned, through sources close to Jen Tooker, that she is “actively considering” her next step.
They shared her thoughts, following this morning’s report by Hartford political blogger Kevin Rennie that Westport’s 1st selectwoman “is preparing to seek the Republican nomination for governor” in 2026.
Sources say she is talking to leaders throughout the state, about a possible run. She is expected to offer an update in the weeks ahead.
On Monday, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice issued a statement affirming the right of Westport youngsters to attend public school here regardless of their immigration status.
Citing legal counsel, he added that ICE agents cannot enter the inside of schools here without a valid wrrant, consent from school officials, or an extreme emergency.
“Our priority remains providing a safe learning enviornment for every student,” the superintendent concluded.
That’s an astonishingly low bar for heroism.
But at a time when the state of Oklahoma has moved to request proof of citizenship or immigration status from families when they enroll their children in public schools — and on the heels of an email from an “06880” reader whose daughter teaches 2nd grade in South Carolina, describing the fear her primarily Hispanic students have for themselves and their families — we will honor a stand for compassion and humanity wherever we can fine it.
Given recent changes to federal immigration enforcement policies, I am aware that there are questions about what they mean for our schools.
While we expect school visits from immigration officials to remain rare, I want to ensure our extended community is informed about what these changes mean. Our legal counsel has provided us with the latest information. Here it is:
Our district’s top priority remains providing quality education in a safe, supportive environment for every child – regardless of immigration status.
As we continue to monitor these evolving circumstances, we can share the following information:
Your child has the right to attend public school in the district where they reside, regardless of immigration status, as guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe (1982).
Public schools must also:
Provide language assistance for students who are English learners; and
Communicate about school programs in languages that parents can understand.
Although the Department of Homeland Security has recently rescinded the longstanding “protected areas” policy, which discouraged ICE agents from taking enforcement actions at schools, it is still unlikely that ICE agents will visit schools.
ICE agents cannot enter non-public areas of a school (interpreted as inside the school building by the district) without:
A valid judicial warrant signed by a federal judge;
Consent from school officials; or
An emergency such as an urgent national security or public safety threat.
Under FERPA, schools cannot release student records to ICE without:
A court order or subpoena;
A health or safety emergency; or
Written consent from the student’s parent or the student (if over 18 years old).
Scarice adds, “Our priority remains providing a safe learning environment for every student. Please reach out with any questions.” His email is tscarice@westportps.org.
There is a local angle to the 1,500 pardons granted Monday night by President Trump.
One of the convicted defendants who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 was Benjamin Cohen. The Westport resident — 21 years old at the time of the siege — was arrested in 2023, at his home off Bayberry Lane.
Last summer he pled guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers.
Earlier this month he was sentenced to 5 years probation and 6 months of home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $2,000.
Benjamin Cohen, in photos released at the time of his arrest.
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Lynda Bluestein’s final legacy were wind phones.
Two devices — disconnected rotary telephones, used to stay connected to loved ones who have died — were installed last year at the Westport Library. They honor the longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member, and medical aid in dying advocate.
A new wind phone was installed in the Memorial Garden of the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in late November. A private dedication ceremony was held January 4 — the first anniversary of Lynda’s death.
Bluestein’s son Jacob built the structure to house the phone, which was donated Vanessa and Dave Bradford.
Lynda sometimes sat in with her husband Paul and Dave Bradford when they played music at the Black Rock Farmer’s Market and PorchFest.
Greenfield Hill Church wind phone. (Photo/Kristyn Miller Photography)
The Westport Farmers’ Market reminds residents that “self-care and connection” is available every Thursday through March (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), at the winter location: Gilbertie’s Herbs & Gardens Center (7 Sylvan Lane).
In addition to farm-fresh produce and other goods, there are workshops focusing on wellnes (meditations, sound baths, Dharma massages and strength.
“Get Growing” children’s activities spark curiosity and foster connections with nature. Through hands-on experiences, younsters learn about the importance of sustainable living, and the joy of growing and eating local food.
Whether indoor or outdoor, Fatto a Mano always draws a crowd at the Westport Farmers’ Market. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
Nearly 30 years after the Hartford Whalers fled to North Carolina, pro hockey comes to the Westport Library.
“Isles in Aisles” is a new partnership between the Library and the Bridgeport Islanders, the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate.
Players will be at the Children’s Library on February 4 (5:30 p.m.), February 18 (4:30 p.m.) and March 3 (4:30 p.m.) to read aloud from their favorite children’s and hockey-themed books. Players will sign autographs afterward..
This is a drop-in event for youngsters, but adults are welcome.
Potential books for Isles in Aisles include “Z is for Zamboni,” “Hero’s Ho Ho Ho Hockey Dream,” “Hockey Morning, Noon, and Night,” “The Magic Hockey Stick” and “The Hockey Sweater.”
An incorrect time was posted yesterday for “Alice in Webland,” the Triple Threat Academy show set for this weekend at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The correct times are Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m.
Children growing up in the digital age can relate to the show’s characters, and learn valuable lessons about balancing social media and living in the moment..
Tickets are $5 (free for senior citizens). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
2nd through 8th graders rehearse for the world premiere of “Alice in Webland.”
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Mollie Klaff Passero — longtime owner of Klaff’s, the store that for many years had a Westport location — died Tuesday, surrounded by her family. She was 101.
From the early 1950s through 2015, she held court in her signature suits and silk scarves, in the Klaff’s of South Norwalk site.
Mollie Klaff was born in Norwalk. She began singing professionally at age 8. By 13 she had her own radio program on WICC. As a young woman she had a successful singing career, touring with Louis Prima.
While performing in Stamford she met her husband, Maury Passero. They married in 1948.
In 1921 her parents started Klaff’s, a plumbing supply company. They added electrical supplies and hardware in the 1930’s. After WWII, they added lumber, building supplies, and complete homes.
They added lighting and kitchen departments in the 1950’s. When they died in the 1950’s Mollie, her sister Debbie and Maury took over the business.
Klaff’s became a destination home design center with locations in South Norwalk, Westport, Danbury and Scarsdale, New York. Their daughter Felicia managed the Westport store.
Here family says, “Mollie treated every employee at Klaff’s as family, with most spending their entire careers working with her.”
Mollie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, surrounded by family. In addition to her children Joe and Felicia, she is survived by her son Jeffery, daughter Lisa, daughters-in-law Amy and Allison, and granddaughters Sasha, Lilli, Eve, and Izabella.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mollie’s name can be made to Temple Shalom of Norwalk, where services will be held tomorrow (Thursday, January 23, 1 p.m.).
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The mourning (not “morning”) dove that stars in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature doesn’t mind the cold. It just plumps up its feathers, and watches the world go by.
Lou Weinberg offers this superb photo — and a link to learn more about mourning doves.
And finally … Garth Hudson died yesterday, in a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. He was 87.
Described by the New York Times as a musician “whose intricate swirls of Lowrey organ helped elevate The Band from rollicking juke-joint refugees into one of the most resonant and influential rock groups of the 1960s and ’70s,” he was the last surviving member of The Band.
(Politics, spirituality,, sports and more are all part of today’s Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
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The contest is open to students attending both public and private high school in Westport. Those who live in Westport and attend public or private high school elsewhere — or are home-schooled here — can also participate.
The Westport Library co-sponsors the event. They’ll host the winners at a special ceremony on April 28.
